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This is cover 5 of 12 for the 52 Project! Tegan and Sara's album, "So Jealous" (which features this song), is one that I have been listening to for years. For me, it's one of those albums that I can put on anytime and still know all the words to every song even if I haven't heard it in forever. I think there are certain albums that just make up who you are as a person. They speak (slow) to a part of you that you might otherwise keep safely hidden away. They say something in a way that you would never have dreamt of saying it, but somehow a part of you had been whispering it all along. Somehow it seems so familiar to you that it's as if someone had stolen it from somewhere deep within your bones. I would say that this album is one of "my" albums.

This is my song "Too Sentimental." I normally don't show people the original copy of the lyrics to my songs because often times, they look like this (except normally there are way more arrows and things crossed out), and it feels very intimate to me. This time, however, I thought it might be interesting for you to see how I wrote this song. Songwriting is such a personal thing, and sometimes I think even I loose sight of that. There are still times that I hesitate to sing one of my songs in public or hesitate to record a video of it because it is just too much of "me"... but I guess that's what it is all about, isn't it? I am here, on this earth, to give you little bits and pieces of "me." So, I guess that's what I will keep doing.

On another note, I am getting on a plane to fly to Pennsylvania to visit my fiance and sister in a few hours! I cannot explain to you how excited I am! It has been five months since I have seen either of them, and missing someone you love is a heartache I would wish on no one. It's been really rough these last few months, and I am so ready to have a long stay in PA (two entire months to be exact!) As I mentioned last week, I will continue to share with you guys some new music, new posts, and probably some snapshots of my trip as I go along! I am really excited for what these next couple of months will hold! Music wise, one thing I really hope to get from this Summer is a better proficiency on guitar. I am going to be working specifically on some different guitar techniques for the next couple of months. (scales/picking patterns/etc.) I will do my best to incorporate these new ideas into my songs. Writing this Summer will be interesting because I am not able to take my guitar with me on my trip...which means I will be playing on/writing with a different guitar! I wasn't expecting to miss my own guitar so much, but if I'm being honest I'm a little sad about being away from it for so long! I assure you that it won't affect my playing [too much! ha!].

Last week, I officially finished my first year of college! The first couple days of my break were spent reading "Looking for Alaska," (which I am still not sure how I feel about, but the more I think about it, the more I love it), writing songs (I actually have a pretty decent one that I may post a video of in the next few weeks), and watching an awesome movie called "Begin Again," (I found this movie super inspiring! It made me want to move to New York and write/record this album on the streets!) It has been a busy school year, and needless to say, I am very relieved that it is over. This year, I have fallen in love with the art of audio engineering. If you had told me two years ago that that is what I would be studying in college, I'm not sure I would have believed you. I came into this program knowing absolutely nothing about any aspect of it, and I am really thankful to say that I have learned a lot. In fact, for my next album, I plan on mixing/mastering it myself. I have to tell you that the idea of taking on that responsibility with this album is absolutely terrifying, but I am so excited for the challenge! This Summer, while I am spending all but a couple of weeks of it in Pennsylvania, I will be planning some things for my album, and some exciting things for when I get home. I am seriously considering doing a two month trail run of weekly Concert Window sessions for you all when I get back to Oklahoma. This will be a cool way for you to hear more about what I am planning for this next album, which songs I am thinking of including, and perhaps even letting you guys help me make the final cuts! I will give you more details about all of this as it gets closer. If you have any suggestions on what you would like to hear in these shows, let me know! Of course, I will be continuing to write each week for this blog, and will keep posting videos and sharing my music with you while I'm gone. I will be doing some Concert Window shows from Pennsylvania too! So, stay tuned for those! I think this Summer is going to hold some really awesome things! I am really excited to experience them all with you!

I hope you all have a wonderful Summer break!

Next Wednesday, come back for a video of one of my newer songs titled "Too Sentimental."

I have to be honest and say that it has been awhile since I have been so inspired. These last couple of months have been pretty rough in terms of writing for The 52 Project. I have written a couple of songs that I like, but mostly it has consisted of songs that aren’t that great but that fill the quota. I knew that this would happen at some point when I started this project, but I wasn’t prepared for how draining it would be. Last Saturday I had the opportunity to see Ed Sheeran in concert at the BOK Center in Tulsa. It has been awhile since I have left a show feeling so inspired in so many different areas of my life. Seeing someone so talented stand up in front of thousands of people and do what he loves is a crazy wonderful thing. I felt challenged and inspired and really really excited to see where this 52 Project is going to take my music. That concert challenged me to spend more time perfecting my craft instrumentally. It challenged me to care less about what others think and spend more time caring about what I think of my music.

He just kept saying “Don’t worry about anyone else. Have fun for you!” I think there is some real power in that.

Also, my favorite part of big concerts like this has always been the moment when the artist plays a slow song and the stands like up like the night sky. It never ceases to amaze me.

What inspires you guys? What is the best concert you ever went to? (Let me know in the comments section below!)

This semester, I took an “American Music Industry” class at school. This class basically focuses on the “how do you make money in the music business” side of things. (which is a great thing to know if you plan on doing that! ha!) I often left this class feeling really discouraged and defeated. I have known my whole life that this industry is a difficult place to thrive, but I have also known all my life that it is where I am meant to be. It’s been quite difficult to keep sight of that lately. Driving today, I remembered something though. I was struck by the thought that entering this industry takes faith, and staying in this industry may take even more faith than it took to enter it. Faith in what though? I think lately, I have been trying to put all my faith in my own abilities, or in my music alone. That is the main reason I believe I have felt so discouraged by this class. I have to take a step back, and rearrange some things in my mind, because if I put my faith in myself or my music, I can guarantee you that I will fail every time. It is God’s timing. It is God’s plan…and He will provide because He is faithful! Last Sunday, I had the opportunity to see Bob Dylan in concert. (I volunteer at The Civic Center Music Hall in OKC and was able to work a shift that night scanning tickets! Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures because Bob Dylan was very strict about the fact that he didn't want ANY cell phones out at all) He didn't really say much during the show...even at the end. It was quite a different experience, but the whole time he sang, all I could think about was the fact that he is 74 years old, and has been doing this most of his life. He writes songs because it is in him, and to not write songs would to not be true to himself. I can relate. I really hope that when I am 74 years old, I am still doing this. What an incredible experience to see such a legend.

This is cover 4 of 12 for the 52 Project! Again, I'm sorry that it is a week late, everyone! It's been very busy in my world lately! I hope you enjoy the song! I would really encourage you to listen closely to the lyrics. The Avett Brothers are incredible songwriters, and this is one of my favorites!Enjoy! <3